A certified translation is a specialised translation where text is translated from one language into another by a certified translator who then certifies the translated text with their signature and stamp as confirmation of its equivalence to the source text. It should be noted that certified translation is not always necessary. It is mostly used for court documents, official certificates and such documents.
Certified translators
Only those who have passed a test demonstrating that they have the knowledge and skills necessary for the job can call themselves certified translators.
Certified court interpreters
Only certified translators can also be certified as court interpreters.
Permit
Certified translators can be certified to translate from a foreign language into Icelandic without being certified to translate from Icelandic into the foreign language and vice versa.
Certified translations are usually sought for contracts or certificates (such as birth or marriage certificates) need to be translated, or when the translation is submitted in court proceedings. Certified translators are public functionaries and as such bound by professional secrecy.
Certified translators in Iceland translate into or from Icelandic and 19 other languages. When you need to have text translated from a language where there is no certified translator to translate into or from Icelandic you must therefore first have the text translated into English and then into Icelandic. However, it is best to see whether it is sufficient to provide a certified translation in English. It is also worth finding out whether the institution that published the source text can provide a version in English, which could then be translated into Icelandic.
Icelandic institutions sometimes provide texts in English as well as in Icelandic, especially for formal information. In cases where it is necessary to translate a text from Icelandic into another language where there is no certified translator, it may therefore be a good idea to start by seeing whether the institution that published can provide a version in English.